Barnes' Brigade

On September 20, 1862, Barnes’ Brigade of Morell’s Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by Col. James Barnes of the 18th Massachusetts Infantry and composed of the 2d Maine, 18th and 22d Massachusetts, 1st Michigan, 13th and 25th New York, 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, and 2d Company Massachusetts Sharpshooters, crossed the Potomac at a ford at 9 A. M. under orders to march on the River Road to Shepherdstown. When it became known that A. P. Hill’s Confederate Division was in front and advancing, Gen. Sykes ordered the brigade to suspend its movement on Shepherdstown and take position on the right of Lovell’s Brigade on the bluffs. Most of the brigade pushed part way up the slope of the bluffs with skirmishers well to the front, while the 118th Pennsylvania advanced up the bluff to extend the brigade line to the right. Before the line had been fully formed, the brigade was ordered withdrawn. The portion in front and to the left withdrew under fire and recrossed the river in good order with slight loss, but the 118th Pennsylvania was attacked by A. P. Hill’s Division and suffered severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners.

West Virginia · United States